Which 10 cultural activities in London helped this author cope with his mental illness?

Author Nick Millman lists his favourite cultural activities in London

Author Nick Millman credits sightseeing around various cultural attraction in London with helping him to change his life.

In 2012, he created a list filled with hundreds of activities and events across the capital that would help him build his self-esteem, make new friends and overcome being a recluse, while also helping him to cope with his schizophrenia and suspected Asperger’s syndrome.

The 37-year-old, who lives in Hendon but grew up in Radlett and attended Watford Grammar School For Boys, is now writing a book about his experiences and aims to keep adding to his list until he achieves 2500 things to do…

Do you know when your book will be finished?

I’m aiming to finish it by June 2019, which will also be my 40th birthday. I’m aiming for 2500 things in London and the 2500th thing will hopefully be a visit to the concentration camp Auschwitz, in Poland.

What will the book be called?

I’m not sure yet. I’ve had some ideas like, 800 Attempts To Change The World As A Londoner, but I’m still working on it.

Where will people be able buy it?

I’m looking to self-publish on all Amazon websites worldwide if I can’t find a publisher in London.

Why did you want to start writing?

It helped me to deal with my schizophrenia and suspected autism a little better, but ultimately I want to change the world and do as much good as possible. My new found confidence enabled me to lose 3 and a half stone too over the past few years, from 17 and a half stone.

Have you suffered with these issues your whole life, but nothing really helped until you decided to explore London?

I was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2007 and psychotic depression in 2004, but have dealt with recluse issues since school. I travelled the world from 2000 to 2004 but always stayed in the hotel as I was too scared to be amongst people. Now, I am trying to rebuild trust with people and be less scared of people and not be afraid of speaking my mind.

How are things for you at the moment?

I’m still doing as many activities as I can and am also looking to do more volunteer work and courses too.

What is next for you?

I plan to keep doing the list until I reach 2500 things and also keep exploring London as much as possible.

What are your top ten activities to do in London?

1. Learning Italian and meeting Italians for language exchange on a one to one basis. I’ve met about 60 Italians in coffee shops through websites such as Gumtree and conversationexchange.com

2. Going to The Royal Academy Of Music and Royal College Of Music for concerts (my personal favourite is film concerts). Going to a lot of concerts culminated in me teaching myself how to read music in the summer of 2015 and getting 97 per cent distinction in grade one music theory in March 2016.

3. Going to Hare Krishna in Kings Cross or Camden or Kentish town for lunch and chatting with homeless people.

4. Learning to draw different locations in London at The National Gallery (my favourite museum and art gallery in London.

5. Trying lots of musical instruments and language classes with tutors around London. I tried about 12 different instruments and about 12 different languages as free trials, with a view to continuing lessons with the tutor.

6. Meeting Alberto Portugeis, the famous pianist who is known for his peace movement with the Humanity United For Universal Demilitarisation.

7. Going to meetup groups, whether for social events, language or sports. My favourite meetup event was going for a meal at Brixton Prison, where I was served and cooked for by prisoners.

9. Going to lots of shows and concerts at theatres and arenas around London. I’ve been to around 20 music concerts, 10 musicals and plays, including seeing Danny Devito in The Sunshine Boys and Matthew Perry in The End Of Longing.

10. Doing lots of volunteer work, including distributing sandwiches to homeless people at St Giles In The Field Church, near Tottenham Court Road, or helping packing food and toys for those in need at The Gift Charity in Hendon or to children’s wards around London and Watford.

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